There was so much tension on Tuesday, over the allegedly stolen N1 billion property, on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, allegedly traced to Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana (SAN).

WE recalls that the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, had confirmed the allegation linking the Lawyer (Falana) to a N1 billion property, on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja.

The embattled former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Abdulrasheed Maina, had accused Falana of buying the building, which was one of the properties he helped to seize from suspected pension thieves, and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Malami had while testifying before the National Assembly, last week, echoed the allegation, saying the property was sold to a ‘Lagos lawyer’.

Elsewhere, the Etiki State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday, reacting to the whole fiasco, fired shots at Femi Falana, saying that it was embarrassing, shameful, disgraceful, that a man of Falana’s standing, reputed to be a Human Rights Activist, friend of the masses, crusader of justice, and defender of democracy, could be linked to such a scandal.

In a released statement, Fayose said it was sad and shameful that Falana could be “cited in such an odious, obscene, and offensive conduct.”

He added that, it was not surprising that Falana had taken it upon himself to always defend the EFCC, even when the anti-graft Agency acted lawlessly, since the Lawyer was allegedly benefiting from the EFCC.

His words: “Linking Falana to illegally-acquired properties seized by the EFCC is bad enough, but the facts provided by Malami make the case against Falana even worse. This must be the real reason why Falana always falls head over heels in defence of the EFCC and Magu, not minding the vicious violations of the constitutionally-guaranteed rights, freedoms, and liberties of citizens.

“What we have always suspected has now been confirmed publicly, and by no less a person as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

“Falana’s alleged unprincipled and disgusting defence of the EFCC and Magu’s penchant for disrespect of the rule of law and due process, is for selfish reasons and personal gain.”

Fayose noted that the Federal Government must investigate Falana, and not allow the matter to be swept under the carpet.

However, reacting to the call for his probe by Fayose, Falana lambasted Fayose for failing to pay attention to his earlier explanation of his connection with the property.

He challenged Fayose and the AGF, to approach the court to seek a forfeiture order on the N1 billion property, if they were sure it was proceeds of crime.

Falana said: “I stand by my earlier defence that I never bought the house from the EFCC, and I challenge him (Fayose) and the Attorney-General, to show the evidence. I challenge the garrulous Governor of Ekiti State to prove the monstrous allegation that I bought a house from the EFCC.

He added: “Since Mr. Ayo Fayose has not paid attention to the fact and circumstances of the case, I advise him to study my explanation that the house in question is a subject matter of a pending suit before the Federal High Court, and that the house has been forfeited to AMCON in the interim.

“The EFCC is not a party to the case. So, if Mr. Ayo Fayose wants to join the suit, he is free, he is at liberty to approach the Federal High Court holding at Abuja, to prove his allegation. But his is a case of Ajegbodo to nweni kun ’ra. (The one recklessly eating fresh yam, will always want to co-opt others into the deal).

“As of today, he has already forfeited six houses to the government of Nigeria. So, if he is sure that this is proceeds of crime, he should apply to have it forfeited. He should contact the Attorney-General, Mr. Malami, to apply to have the house forfeited, if they are sure that the house is proceeds of crime.”

Falana further stated that the Governor had been looking for a way to attack him; “since I pressured the State to charge Mr. Fayose and his armed goons with the cold-blooded murder of Dr. Ayo Daramola and Tunde Omojola.”